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Homeless Living With Pets In Car

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I never thought I would ever find myself living in my car with two dogs and two cats after losing my business in December. On March 7, I began training for a new job and on March 14 I was asked to leave because they found out I was homeless and they did not feel that it was a "professional look". I thought I was on my way out of this bad situation, and now I find myself at square one again, looking for employment. Now I fear that if any employer finds out that I am homeless and living in my car that I am deemed unemployable.
My business was the Extraordinary Cafe and the Extraordinary Caveman. The food was awesome and we had a lot of regulars. Unfortunately we didn't have the foot traffic we needed to sustain the business and we
had to close
Down in December of 2016. Upon closing, I paid my employees and vendors with the exception on one. I still owe her $300. I had not paid myself since November. I thought I could land back in the restaurant business managing or even serving but everyone was staffed up for the holidays. I was applying for almost anything from restaurant to manufacturing to clerical with no luck. I was evicted from my apartment on February 2nd. I moved everything into storage and moved me and my pets into the car. It didn't stop me from continuing to seek employment.
Finally I was offered two jobs. I declined one and took the better of the two. I began March 7 with training and was asked to leave today, March 14 because they found out I was living in my car with 2 dogs and 2 cats. I explained that within a week or two of regular shifts that I would be able to get a hotel room but I just needed a short amount of time to get back on my feet. I was told, "we are sorry, but you can re apply after you correct the situation." WOW! What a Catch 22 I am in right now.
I am at the point now where all of my resources are spent and I was counting on this job to get me back into an apartment and back on track. I currently have 1/2 tank of gas, running low on dog and cat food, a bag of cereal and a small $85 paycheck coming on Friday.
If your are wondering how I've been making it work while living in my car, I have been selling some belongings from storage for cash, I shower at A local gym (&10 membership), I usually eat off the dollar menu or some prepared soup from Kroger, I use the laundromat, and I take advantage of free wifi where it is available. I try to find safe places to park and sleep. It does make me feel safer with the dogs. They will alert me if anything is amiss. Sleeping in the cold is difficult. It's hard to sleep when you're shivering, but we huddle up and try to stay warm with our blankets.
I am not looking for hand outs. I just need a hand up. I want a job that pays the bills. This money will be used to secure an apartment and any applicable deposits, get my car payment caught up, and turn my phone back on so I can keep up with any job offers.
I have a huge heart and in the past I have given what I can't afford to give away to those that need more than me. I fed the homeless from the cafe, supported backpacks for the homeless and donated time and food for diners at Reinhart House. I have given room and board to a friend that was evicted.
I rarely ask for anything and this has to be one of the hardest hints I've done. I just want to work, have a roof over my head and happy dogs and kitties.
I can't thank you enough for anything you are willing to give and I will be forever grateful. Once I am back on my feet, I plan to start a program for the homeless with pets. No one should be told they can't get help because they have pets or that typically have to give them up in order to receive help. Sometimes they are all the companionship that some have.

Organizer

Nancye Abbott Hunter
Organizer
Richmond, VA

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